SAVOURY PANIYARAM OR PAN FRIED RICE HOPPERS (MANGALOREAN APPA)

These hoppers are common mangalorean breakfast or evening snack made usually from leftover idli or dosa batter. I learnt it from my mother-in-law. She used Iron paniyaram pan/ appakkara ...whereas I use non-stick pan which needs less oil/ghee compared to the Iron paniyaram pan. Just a few drops of oil/ ghee is sufficient to make this yummy delicacy. The paniyaram taste best when prepared with sour batter more than fresh batter. It's crispy and taste almost like vada.

Ingredients:

2-3 cups of leftover Idli/dosa batter
2 medium sized onion finely chopped
4-5 green chillies finely chopped
1 inch piece ginger finely chopped
1 sprig curry leaves
handful of coriander leaves
salt if required
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp urad dal
2 tblsp oil / ghee

Method :

1. Add little water to the batter ... if the batter is thick.
2. In a kadai heat oil/ghee add mustard seeds, urad dal and curry leaves.
3. When the mustard seeds splutter add the onion, green chillies saute till they turn golden..now add ginger, coriander leaves and 1/4 tsp salt.
4. Heat the non-stick paniyaram pan with 1/4 or 1/2 tsp oil/ghee in each hole.
5. Pour the batter into the holes. Cover with a lid and let cook on medium flame.
6. Flip the hoppers with a pointed wooden spatula or spoon to the other side and let cook till golden.
7. Serve hot with coconut chutney or tomato sauce.

To make it more healthier you can add grated carrot and cooked peas to the batter.